People control the music

By Andy Howard / March 2012

Anthm lets people control the music in the places they go. It’s a free app for one-off music playlists (think parties) and works like a jukebox. The host uses the Anthm app to hook up their Rdio account and create a playlist. Guests can use the app to add songs to the playlist and vote songs up and down. Spotify is next on the list for Anthm integration. Rdio launched in Australia last month and Spotify is coming very soon.

The shared and limitless jukebox that Anthm creates is useful. It’d be really useful if it went beyond single-use playlists. There’d be less workplace debate if everyone could contribute to and vote on a shared, ongoing playlist. You wouldn’t need to hand over your iPhone or be limited by the jukebox to play your own music at a bar. Maybe you could vote on and suggest music in a retail store, cafe or restaurant.

Retailers are curators (well, everyone is a curator now, but retailers are supposed to be the smartest filters). Curation is part of a retailer’s value. ‘Jukebox apps’ could allow retailers to create a playlist of tracks that represent the brand’s personality and vibe, then let customers order and prioritise music in store. Or give customers complete control of the music.

This could get interesting, and it goes well beyond retail. Queue up the right tracks to play when you’re on a date at a restaurant. Fans suggest and vote on the track to blast through the stadium when their team takes to the pitch. Throw ‘Eye of the Tiger’ into the mix at the gym. While all of this is going on it might be fun to know who suggested what.

It won’t suit every business but for some it’s an opportunity to dial up the customer experience. If businesses are willing to let go a little maybe this isn’t far away.